Many knots are used to display or enhance a talisman. I wanted to make a necklace to carry the talisman that wold be comfortable and have interest in the yarn. I spun this four ply cabled cord from tussah silk noil, dyed with Easter egg dyes, and bombyx more top. The silk was blended on a drum carder (sample N1).
The cord was measured than soaked in corn starch and dried (sample N6). I sampled a few knots with this method (sample N5). It looked good and seemed to wash out acceptable. the turquoise talisman was threaded in the center then a pan chang was tied with a double cord. Next glass beads were added and brocade knots, beads and triple connection knots, beads and finally phoenix tail knots were tied.
The necklace was finished with silver cone findings that secured the ends. Using quality findings is a good alternative to tassels and slip button knots. Be careful, some findings rust, some are not durable. If you have put the time into the spinning and knotting (it takes longer to knot the cord than to spin it) use findings worthy of the work.
The earrings were
knotted with the benefit of starch. they are a good luck not hung on silver plated
findings.
The corn starch was removed by soaking the necklace and earrings
in very warm water with Ivory liquid. They were give a vinegar rinse to bring back
the luster of the silk. I thought the findings were good but found that the rings
were not quality and they rusted. The silk also did not return to its original
beauty after washing I was very disappointed.
